The Effects of Minoxidil Versus Mitomycin C on the Filteing Surgery for Glaucoma in Rabbits

ABSTRACT

We compared the effect of topical minoxidil after filtering surgery with that of mitomycin C (MMC) application in rabbits. Fourty-nine eyes were divided into the minoxidil-treated eyes, MMC_treated eyes and control eyes. Intraocular pressure (IOP) in minoxidil-treated eyes and MMC-soaked eyes were significantly lower than that of the control eyes at postoperative 1 and 3 days. MMC-soaked eyes had lower IOPs than the minoxidil-treated and control eyes, but IOPs in the minoxidil- and control eyes were similar at days 5 to 21. IOP survival in the MMC-treated eyes was significantly longer than in both the minoxidil-treated and control eyes. These results suggest that topical minoxidil can cause reduction of IOP at the early postoperative period. Howver, the IOP lowering effect of Minoxidil did not last as long as that of MMC soaking. Further study is necessary to enhance the efect of topical minoxidil including its method of application and optimal concentration.